THE END OF EASTER

 

Following an accurate recording of Jesus’ empty tomb, one is faced with the question of the whereabouts of the deceased. The New Testament accounts for forty days. During that period, Jesus physically appeared in Galilee and Jerusalem. He met many people. He ate and fished with them. However, Jesus was not present at the annual Jewish festival of Pentecost. Then, what could have accounted for His absence?

 

The New Testament records that Jesus left earth. Christians refer to this experience as the ascension of Jesus. Five times New Testament writers employ the Greek term analambano (to take up) of Jesus’ ascension. Each time the verb is in the passive voice, He “was taken up.” The passive voice represents the subject of the verb as being acted upon. Thus, in this instance, indicating that the taking up was empowered from above.

 

Like me, you are probably asking, can someone really believe in ascension in our scientific age? Could one really believe that Jesus was literally “taken-up” from earth? Assuming Jesus was not ascended as reported by Luke in Acts 1:9, we are left with a few difficult historical queries. 

 

In post-resurrection New Testament passages, Stephen, Paul and John claimed to have encountered Jesus. But none of them provided geographical locations where they met. At no point in sacred or secular history does any historian refer to Jesus in terms of His physical location. Someone must be able to account for His absence from the tomb and from anywhere on earth. The best account for his absence from earth is his ascension, as recorded in the book of Acts.

 

There is nothing in the Acts context to suggest that the literary genre is symbolic. This is historical narrative. Historical narrative describes people who actually lived and events that actually happened. The location of the ascension is “… in the vicinity of Bethany” (Luke 24:51). Bethany was a village on the Mount of Olives. Some of those who witnessed this event were referred to as “Men of Galilee” (Acts 1:11). Ten of those eleven men chose to die for what they saw and knew to be true.

 

Like His death and resurrection, the ascension of Jesus was predicted. A thousand years before His birth, David prophesied the ascension of the Messiah when he announced the Lord’s enthronement at the Father’s right hand (Psa.110:1).

 

In this Psalm, David says, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool’”. Jesus quotes this verse in a discussion with the Pharisees to prove that the Messiah is more than David’s son (Matt. 22:44). He is David’s Lord. Interestingly, no other psalm is so frequently quoted in the New Testament.

 

Like the Psalmist, Jesus predicted His own ascension. In announcing his death to his disciples, He promised to go and prepare a place. Such a mission necessitated leaving earth. It was shortly after making that promise, Jesus said, “it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you...” (John 16:7). Luke contends, just after instructing the disciples to wait in Jerusalem, “Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).

 

This year, Ascension Day, one of the earliest Christian festivals, will be observed on Thursday, May 18. It is observed as a public holiday in many countries. The Day commemorates the climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the end of the Easter season.

 

The theological implications of the historic ascension of Jesus are massive. Questions like, where did Jesus go, or where is Jesus now, cannot be avoided. About six years after the Ascension, Jesus appeared to Saul (Acts 9:5). The voice Saul heard was clear and authoritative. Saul correctly responded, “Who are you, Lord?” Because Jesus’ identity was sufficiently distinct, Saul recalled the encounter before King Agrippa. He said to the Roman judge, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven”.

 

About fifty years after the Ascension, John, a former disciple of Jesus, records his contact with Jesus. From heaven, Jesus said to him, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever” (Revelation 1:17). Like Saul, John confirmed that Jesus is still alive, but not on earth. What then are the chances that this same Jesus will return? The angels who were present at the Ascension answered that question in this way: “… this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

 

The Easter story reminds us that Jesus accurately predicted his death, his resurrection and his ascension. With such a successful track record of accurate predictions, it would seem foolish to conclude that his return is unlikely.

 

It was because of his confidence in the return of Jesus, Paul said in his last letter to young Timothy, there is a reward “also, to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Among Christians, there are differences of opinion regarding the timing of Christ’s return. However, there is little doubt that he will return.